Device and a process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread

ABSTRACT

A device and process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread or yarn, which includes a housing having a thread inlet opening and an thread outlet opening. A preparation device is provided in the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread and for applying a swirling air stream against the advancing thread to cause the fluid to penetrate into the interior of the thread. The housing and the preparation device are both divided so that they may be opened to facilitate the initial thread up of the thread through the housing. Also, the inlet and outlet openings are configured to provide a seal between the advancing yarn and the housing to minimize leakage of the fluid from the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of international application PCT/EP2005/051573, filed 8 Apr. 2005, and which designates the U.S. The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device and a process for applying a preparation fluid to threads of the type which comprises a housing which includes an inlet opening for a thread, an outlet opening for a thread, and a preparation device disposed in the housing.

There are different known processes and possibilities for applying fluid preparations to a thread, which as used herein includes a yarn. The application is accomplished, for example, by the thread being moistened with oil by being conducted over rollers which rotate through an oil bath. An additional possibility consists in the yarn running over a preparation pin. The pin includes an orifice via which the preparation oil is supplied and the thread receives the application of oil via contact with the pin. Then there are processes in which the preparation is applied by an oil spray mist or by a combination of swirling and supplying oil.

In DE 102 20 508 A1 such a device is described. The swirling oil device is positioned in a housing which can be opened to lay up the thread. Beneath the housing sits a curved tube which comprises a threading slot for threading the thread. The tube serves for recycling excess preparation fluid. The swirling nozzle comprises a threading slot into which the thread can be laid. The nozzle also remains open during operation. It is a positive aspect of this device that due to the swirling along with the application of the oil there is a good mixing of the yarn filaments with the preparation oil. However, it is disadvantageous in this embodiment that the swirling nozzle has an open yarn channel, and it cannot be ensured that the thread is always uniformly covered by the air/oil jet. It is a further disadvantage of this embodiment that excess preparation mist, or even preparation fluid, is blown through the opening slots of the housing and tube.

DE 102 05 005 A1 describes a preparation device in which the preparation fluid is applied by a spray mist. The dosing is matched to the thread using a screen which shields the thread from a part of the spray jet. The excess preparation is trapped via a trap plate in the spray cabinet and recycled via a drain into the oil circuit. The disadvantage of this embodiment is the fact that more oil than is needed is brought into circulation and not all of the excess oil mist is trapped via the trap plate and thus a part of the oil mist escapes through the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the spraying cabinet. A further disadvantage is the fact that in using the spray mist, the oil is only applied on the surface and the oil is not completely mixed with the thread filaments.

Particularly at high spinning speeds, the thread cannot take up enough preparation by applying the preparation on the surface and faults occur in the process and also in subsequent further processing.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a preparation device in which the thread preparation fluid is supplied to the thread in a precisely dosed manner and the preparation fluid is mixed with the thread, where the device is embodied so that the excess preparation or oil mist cannot get out of the device but rather is drained off for reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the provision of a device and process for applying a preparation fluid to threads, and which comprises a housing which comprises an inlet opening for the thread and an outlet opening for the thread. In the housing a preparation device is disposed. According to the invention, the housing is divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening so that the thread can be laid into the housing without difficulty. By the division of the housing it is avoided that the thread has to be threaded through a small opening of the housing, guided through the housing, and at the end of the housing guided out of the housing once again. This significant expenditure of effort is no longer required with the present invention since the housing is divided in the area of the inlet opening and the outlet opening and can be opened there. When the housing is open, the thread is laid in so as to be transverse to the direction of the run of the thread and the housing is subsequently closed. The thread is thus ready for a preparation, in particular with preparation oil. Through the division of the housing at the inlet opening and the outlet opening the housing can be opened by a pivoting motion or a linear motion in the direction of the run of the thread.

Along with the easier thread up of the thread into the housing there is, vis-à-vis the state of the art, the further advantage that the housing is essentially closed during the preparation of the thread. On the one hand, sufficient space to let the thread pass through is found only at the inlet opening and the outlet opening. On the other hand however, these openings are so narrow that they have a sealing effect. Hardly any preparation fluid gets out through these openings. Due to this, as is not the case in the state of the art, preparation fluid is spared and moreover the environment of the device is not contaminated.

In order to avoid contamination of the environment of the device, it is thus particularly advantageous if the division of the housing and/or the inlet opening and the outlet opening are sealed or act as seals. The sealing ensures that the preparation fluid remains within the housing. Due to this, contamination of the environment of the housing is avoided, even though the housing is divided for the simple introduction of the thread into the housing.

If a collecting device for reusable preparation fluid is disposed at the housing, then the fluid can also be collected within the housing and conveyed to the preparation device or a collecting container.

It is particularly advantageous if the preparation device comprises a swirling device and an oil device. Thereby one realizes a uniform application of the preparation fluid, in particular oil, onto the thread. The oil is uniformly atomized by the swirling device and thus can moisten the thread uniformly.

If the preparation device comprises a divided yarn channel for laying in the thread, then it is possible to lay the thread into the preparation device in a very simple manner by the thread channel in the preparation device being opened. After the thread is in the divided yarn channel, the preparation device is closed once again and is ready for the preparation of the thread.

For the sealing of the inlet device and the outlet device, a labyrinth seal, an opening closely enclosing the thread, low pressure in the housing, and/or a seal at the inlet opening and the outlet opening and pressurized with compressed air, among other possibilities, are advantageous. The labyrinth seal, just as the inlet opening closely encircling the thread or the outlet opening closely encircling the thread, can be realized by purely structural means. However, it is frequently sufficient if the low pressure in the housing, which, for example, arises through the suctioning of the reusable preparation fluid, already produces a sufficient seal. In order to obtain a particularly reliable sealing of the inlet opening and the outlet opening, it can advantageously be provided that a seal pressurized by compressed air is disposed at the respective opening. If compressed air is blown in at both the inlet opening and the outlet opening, then a type of air curtain arises there which essentially prevents the penetration of the preparation agent.

It is particularly simple and economical if a pin oiler is used as an oil device. The pin oiler known per se is disposed within the housing and causes the thread being coated as it passes by the pin oiler to be uniformly and sufficiently prepared.

If an oil recycling line is disposed in the housing, then in a particularly advantageous manner the reusable preparation fluid can be collected and conveyed to an oil container, or even a used oil container, disposed at the housing.

In order to be able to adjust the amount of oil supplied, the amount of oil recycled, and/or the amount of compressed air supplied in the swirling device as needed in order to obtain optimal results in the preparation of the thread, it is particularly advantageous if a regulator is disposed at the housing. Via the regulator, the amount of oil supplied to the threads or the preparation device can be adjusted. Via the regulation of the compressed air supply for the swirling device, the preparation application can moreover be set to special threads or the desired amount of the preparation applied.

In order to achieve precise guiding of the thread and an optimal contact of the thread with the preparation fluid, it is advantageous if the yarn channel is closed in the radial direction with the spring-loaded baffle. Via the spring it is ensured that the baffle is always pressed against a bearing surface and only the yarn channel for the passage of the thread remains open. In particular, a lateral escape of the thread from the yarn channel is avoided thereby. The thread is exposed in a completely targeted manner to the preparation fluid acting on the thread in the yarn channel. A constant preparation without the use of an unnecessary amount of preparation fluid is ensured thereby.

It is particularly advantageous if housing parts and preparation device parts which come into contact with the thread are made of wear-resistant material, in particular ceramics. In so doing, the preparation device, and, for example, the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the housing, are protected against wear and ensure a long service lifetime of the housing.

The device according to the invention can be used not only for the treatment of a single thread but rather also for the treatment of a bundle of threads. For this, the housing is equipped with several preparation devices. In particular, there are as many preparation devices as there are threads per spinning location. With this, the simultaneous laying of a plurality of threads into a single open housing is simplified in particular. In addition, the production of a single housing for a plurality of threads is more economical than if individual threads were prepared separately.

If the preparation device is opened at the same time as the housing is opened, then very simple handling is ensured. In so doing, the thread is laid into the inlet opening and the outlet opening as well as into the preparation device itself. Subsequently, the housing, together with the preparation device, is once again closed and the thread is available for a preparation with preparation agent.

In a process according to the invention for applying a preparation fluid to threads in a housing which comprises an inlet opening for the thread and an outlet opening for the thread and a preparation device for preparing the thread with preparation agent, the housing is opened for laying a thread in the direction of the run of the thread and the housing division and/or the inlet opening and the outlet opening are sealed on closing the housing. With this process, the thread is very quickly made ready for the preparation fluid. Through the tight closure of the housing after laying in the thread, the housing is essentially sealed so that no preparation fluid gets out of the housing. Thus it is made possible to prepare the thread in a very reliable manner as well as in a very economical manner, since there is no loss of preparation fluid.

If the housing is divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening, then the laying in of the thread is possible in a particularly simple manner. The threading of eyes is avoided thereby.

If the air and/or preparation fluid supply into the housing is interrupted when the housing is opened, then it is ensured that preparation fluid does not get out of the housing. Contamination of the environment of the housing is avoided.

Via control of the air and/or preparation fluid supply it can be realized that in an advantageous manner the air and/or preparation fluid supply is started automatically when the housing is closed. By so doing, the restart after a thread break can be carried out in a very simple manner by the housing being opened, whereupon the air and/or preparation fluid supply automatically cuts off, the thread then being laid into the housing and into the preparation device, and finally the housing once again being closed and the air and/or preparation fluid supply being started once again.

The re-threading of the thread is possible in a particularly simple and quick manner if the preparation device is always opened at the same time as the housing is opened. Merely a hand grip is required in order to open, and to close once again, the housing and the preparation device.

If the inlet opening and the outlet opening are sealed with compressed air, then a housing which is very tight with respect to the preparation agent is obtained, where in the housing the inlet opening and the outlet opening can be embodied to be relatively large so that the thread can be moved through the housing without hindrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned schematic view of a device according to the invention for applying a preparation,

FIG. 2 is a similar view of an additional device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a preparation device,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a device according to the invention in the open position,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an additional device according to the invention in the open position,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of a seal with air support in cross section and longitudinal section,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of a seal without air support in cross section and longitudinal section,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a device according to the invention for several threads,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a device according to FIG. 4 in the closed position,

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a preparation device, and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of an additional preparation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a complete device for applying a preparation to an advancing thread or yarn in accordance with the invention. A thread 1 runs through a thread inlet opening 3 of a housing 2, is moistened in the preparation device 4, here a pin oiler, with oil as the preparation agent, and is subsequently swirled in a swirling device 5. Due to the swirling there is a uniform mixing and moistening of the individual filaments of the thread 1 with the oil. After the swirling, the thread 1 exits the housing 2 at the other end through an outlet opening 6.

The oil supply from an oil container 7 is controlled with an oil regulator 8. The thread 1 is tangent to the preparation device 4 and is pressurized with oil which flows out of a supply orifice of the preparation device 4. The embodiment of the preparation device 4 can be according to the present state of the art as generally known. In the direction of the run of the thread after the preparation device 4 the swirling device 5 is located. The thread 1 runs through a closed yarn channel 9 of the swirling device 5 and is pressurized with compressed air via a compressed air channel 10. The compressed supply air supply is regulated via a pressure regulator 11. The amount of air is determined via the swirling pressure and the form of the compressed air channel 10.

The thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 are embodied as a seal 12. The sealing is accomplished by means of an air stream which is supplied laterally through compressed air orifices 13 of the seal 12. Due to the build-up of pressure in the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6, no oil or mist of oil can exit.

The housing 2 is provided in its lower area with an indentation 20 in which the oil not taken up by the thread 1 collects and is conducted via an oil recycling line 14 and an oil recycling regulator 15 back to the oil container 7 for reuse.

In order to keep the yarn channel 9 closed in the radial direction and thus to be able to swirl the thread 1 with the oil properly and uniformly, a part of the yarn channel 9 is embodied as a baffle 17 preloaded with a spring 16. With this, the baffle 17 presses against the base element of the swirling device 5 and seals the yarn channel 9 in the radial direction.

FIG. 2 shows an additional embodiment of the device. The preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 are combined in one unit. The thread 1 runs through the common yarn channel 9 of the preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 and at that point is first moistened with oil and then pressurized with compressed air.

The seals 12 at the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 are without additional air orifices. The sealing to the outside is accomplished by narrow yarn passages and/or low pressure in the housing 2, the low pressure being generated by the oil recycling line 14. The excess oil is conducted back via the oil recycling line 14 into the oil container 7. Along with the recycled oil, fresh oil is conveyed via an oil supply device 18 to the oil container 7.

FIG. 3 shows a combined oil-swirling device. The oil supply line 22 and the compressed air channel 10 meet in a common channel. The oil-air mixture resulting thereby reaches the yarn channel 9 and pressurizes the thread 1. With this, there is an intensive application of oil and the amount of oil can be reduced. The yarn channel 9 is in turn closed with the baffle 17.

FIG. 4 shows the housing 2 in the open position in cross section. One half 2′ of the housing 2 with the baffle 17 and spring 16 is pivoted up, via a hinge 23, in the radial direction away from the half 2″. Thus, the yarn channels of the seals 12 (not represented) at the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 as well as the preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 are opened and the thread 1 can be laid in. After closing the half 2′, the yarn channel 9 is closed with the spring-loaded baffle 17. The housing 2 is sealed at the points of separation of the two halves 2′ and 2″ with a seal 24. The opening/closing mechanism can be actuated manually or automatically coupled to the machine control. It is particularly advantageous if the compressed air supply and the oil supply are stopped when the housing 2 is opened. After closing the housing 2 it can be started once again manually or automatically.

FIG. 5 shows a housing 2 which is designed similarly to FIG. 4. However, the halves 2′ and 2″ are embodied so that they can be moved in a straight line for opening and closing. For this, a sliding device 25 is provided. The half 2′ with the baffle 17 and spring 16 is opened in a straight line in order to lay in the thread 1. The actuation can in turn be done manually or automatically with the machine control.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a seal 12 with air support. Compressed air is introduced into the yarn channel of the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 via the compressed air orifice 13. Due to the excess pressure in the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 the oil or the oil mist in the housing 2 and cannot escape through the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a seal 12 without air support. The thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 are embodied to be very narrow. The thread 1 contacts the respective opening 3 or 6 and takes with it the excess oil which runs into the opening 3 or 6. Thus, the oil does not drop from the housing 2 but rather additionally moistens the thread 1.

FIG. 8 shows a multi-thread housing 2. In one housing 2 several thread inlet openings 3 or the thread outlet openings 6 are disposed. All the threads 1 can be laid into the housing 2 simultaneously. The spacings of the yarn passages are dimensioned in accordance with the spacings required for the machines. From this representation the division not only of the housing 2 but also rather also of the seals 12 can be seen, which simplifies the laying in of the threads.

FIG. 9 shows the housing 2 from FIG. 4 in closed position in cross section. The divisible housing 2 is sealed with the seal 24. The seal 24 encircles the entire housing 2.

The baffle 17 is pressed against the base element of the swirling device 5, whereby the yarn channel of the oil swirling device is closed. The baffle 17 is set with the spring 16 in order to ensure a secure closure of the yarn channel. The yarn channel is embodied in the form of a semi-circle.

Different variants of the yarn channel of the preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 10 the yarn channel has a ¾-circle cross section while in FIG. 11 the yarn channel is formed to have a V-shaped channel cross section. Depending on the type of thread 1 different channel cross sections can be particularly well-suited for a preparation of the thread.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. Modifications and combinations within the framework of the claims can also fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A device for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread comprising a housing which comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening for permitting the thread to advance therethrough, a preparation device disposed within the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread, and wherein the housing is divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening to facilitate the thread up of the thread through the housing, and wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are each formed to provide a sealing effect about the thread.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a collecting system for collecting the preparation fluid from the housing for reuse.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device includes a fluid delivery system and an air operated thread swirling system.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device comprises a divided thread channel which can be separated to facilitate the thread up of the thread therethrough.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening each comprises a seal selected from the group consisting of a labyrinth seal, an opening closely surrounding the thread, low pressure in the housing, a seal formed by compressed air, and combinations thereof.
 6. The device of claim 3 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pin oiler.
 7. The device of claim 6 further comprising an oil recycling line connected to a collection chamber in the housing.
 8. The device of claim 7 further comprising an oil container connected to the recycling line and to the pin oiler.
 9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of regulators for respectively regulating the amount of oil supplied to the pin oiler, the amount of oil recycled to the oil container, and the amount of compressed air supplied to the thread swirling system.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device includes a thread channel which is closed along one side with a spring loaded baffle.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening, the outlet opening, and the preparation device are each composed of a ceramic material.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said preparation devices are disposed within the housing for simultaneously processing a plurality of said threads.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein both the housing and the preparation device are divided to facilitate the thread up of the thread through the housing.
 14. A process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread comprising the steps of providing a housing which comprises a thread inlet opening and a thread outlet opening, with the housing being divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening, opening the housing so as to laterally open the inlet opening and the outlet opening, threading the thread through the open inlet opening and outlet opening, closing the housing so as to close the inlet opening and the outlet opening about the thread, and then advancing the thread through the housing and past a preparation device within the housing so as to apply a preparation fluid to the advancing thread.
 15. The process of claim 14 wherein the preparation device also acts to supply a pressurized air stream laterally against the advancing thread.
 16. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread and the step of supplying a pressurized air stream laterally against the advancing thread are both started when the housing is closed.
 17. The process of claim 14 wherein the preparation device is divided so as to facilitate the thread up of the thread when the housing is opened.
 18. The process of claim 14 wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are each sealed with compressed air when the housing is closed. 